Grace in Winter

by Deirdre Purcell

'Thought-provoking, absorbing, superbly written ... Deirdre Purcell at her best' Patricia ScanlanA winter cruise sounds like a dream come true. But this gift from Grace's ex-husband is less a selfless act and more an effort to keep their highly destructive daughter Leonie away from his new family over the Christmas season.Despite her reservations, Grace accepts, hoping that a change of scene will be a good thing for herself and Leonie. Though what she really longs for is some time alone, away from her responsibilities as a mother and carer.Their cruise holiday has barely begin when Leonie's beauty attracts the attention of Ben, a fellow passenger. But as Ben does his best to get to know Leonie, Grace finds herself developing an unexpected bond with the young novelist, one which awakens feelings in her that she had thought buried forever.Then, it's discovered that Leonie has gone missing -- and what happens next will change the course of Grace's life...

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2019

About the author

Deirdre Purcell (1945–2023) was an Irish author, actress, and journalist.

Reviews

[Grainne Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - I raced through it (which is a compliment!) Unusual story line about a woman and her challenging youngest daughter and a trip that changes everything. It's ripe for a follow up! The only thing I didn't like was the title - doesn't do the story justice, in my opinion.

[Caroline Rebisz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book following the struggles of Grace and her daughter. The subject matter was handled with care and kept the reader engaged throughout. My only disappointment was that the ending seemed rushed. Not sure if there will be a further book in a series but it felt like that.

[Lizp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this well written and entertaining book. I hated the dust jacket though. Yes! No ambiguity here. I didn’t just dislike it. I thought it was awful.

Speaking of awful, why in God’s name would anyone put up with Leonie (an adult) behaving like a spoilt, entitled little brat?? Why buy the obnoxious little B an expensive dress after she has trashed your home?! Grace, her mum, seemed to put her own needs so far behind those of selfish, loutish Leonie. Her dad, Harry, even seemed to fear her.

Instead of stoically setting Leonie afloat on an ice floe and leaving her to her own devices, Harry and his successful wife, who wanted to avoid having her attend an awards work event and marr it, sent her on an all expenses paid cruise to the Arctic. As Leonie is such a disaster and they needed her to be looked after, they also paid for Grace to accompany her. Think Henry James, the latter years.

Ben (a faiing writer) on board ship sees beautiful Leonie and develops a huge crush on her at first sight. Wedding bells are in sight. Grace has to deal with her own issues in the wake of this drama. For where Leonie goes, drama will undoubtedly follow.

Grace inevitably picks up the pieces in the aftermath of the ensuing full on relationship drama, with nuptials meant to follow. She then needs to rebuild her own life. Will Grace let herself embrace happiness in the wake of all this kerfuffle ? If it were me, I would have pushed Leonie overboard earlier on the cruise, safe in the knowledge that I would feel no dissonance about my actions.

An engaging read by Deirdre Purcell. I like the way she writes. I enjoy the way she draws characters. I recommend this novel to others.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graceful and honest

Warm and disturbing in turn, this is an honest glimpse into the experience of parenting an adult child with mental health difficulties. The focus is on the emotional, lifelong impact. Grace is presented in a humane, warm empathetic way, coming to life for the reader as she lives for her much loved, challenging daughter and learns gradually the necessity of carving out a life for herself again.
There are unexpected turns along the way, as Grace faces unpredicted curveballs, with satisfying developments at the end.
The only thing that jarred a little was the apparent outcome with Ben... The character seemed to swing backwards, and I'm still unsure if I'm happy with that swing of the pendulum.. Have to read it again!
Loved the story, beautifully told.

[A B H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve just finished this book, I got through it fairly quickly and did enjoy it quite a bit. I feel like the ending could’ve been better, maybe there’ll be a second book following from it? I feel like things were a little bit unfinished between Ben and Grace and they could’ve come to a better understanding following their brief relationship. But I did like the idea of Marcus and Grace together, they seemed a lot more similar, not only in age but what they want from life.

I did really like the character development of Grace and how she stopped putting others before herself, it gives a realistic feel of what many mothers go through in real life, and how difficult it is to get out of such situations.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Deirdre Purcell's writing, and I give this book 3 stars because of that. Otherwise it would have been 1 or 2 stars because of the preposterous story line. It seems that her recent books have been either silly (The Christmas Voyage) or ridiculous (Grace in Winter). I really miss the rich, meaningful stories like Falling for a Dancer and Last Summer in Arcadia. Oh how I wish she would go back to something like those! Maybe she just doesn't have any good stories left - I hope that isn't the case.

[Clare Harrington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Hard to believe that this is the same author that wrote A Place of Stones or Falling For A Dancer. Is this book sponsored by the Irish Hotels Federation....is there a hotel in Ireland that didn't get a mention?? Absolutely no sympathy for the daughter character and I am sure we are supposed to. Overall, so very disappointing!

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

⁹88 I loo o⁹⁹99999⁹99⁹⁹qqewr8àBit of a let down tbh
I read "That Childhood Country" a long time ago and its still one of my favourite books I just expected more drama and more connection to the characters and I mean not just the main. It had alot more potential I thought though it had a beautiful ending. I wouldn't recommend this book I'm sowry to say😕

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is everybody in Eire a millionaire? You might think so if you read this book. Very hard to understand why the situation has arisen where Grace is taking all the strain of her disruptive daughter, who has a personality disorder . I honestly cant see why someone would have to go to the States to get treatment. It just wasnt credible, which was a pity as the author clearly has talent.

[Rachel Bourke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy read. Quite disturbing in parts. A reality for many women who are the primary caregivers for their children, even their grown children. I think that it did portray the many difficulties of these women and the lives they lead or put on hold. It is never ending.

[Sophie Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read and the author tackles the subject with compassion.

[Aoife Chew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been a 5 out of 5 but bad ending.

[Eithne Lonergan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started well with great potential and plausible characters. Disintegrated into total tripe. Ending was a hallmark awful Christmas movie. Total disappointment.